An important institutional body with an 8-year term, this collection of ageing and sclerotic clerics is meant to wield real power by overseeing the Supreme Leader. In practice, they simply nod along.

The ruling Conservative Party is light on detail and aspiration, beyond the sale of weapons, while the opposition Labour Party has more to say on issues like Iran and Palestine.

Several big parties are to stand again in the national presidential election on 7 September after concerns that recent votes have been the rigged rubber-stamping of a preferred candidate.

Faced with protests, allies' criticism, and international arrest warrants, the Israeli PM is exploiting the pillars of democratic governance to entrench his own autocratic rule. Is he shrewd enough?

Beijing reacted with war exercises to Taiwan's new pro-independence president. China is adamant that Taiwan must be reunified, Washington is adamant that it is independent. Is this the next war?

Jewish supremacy and democracy, two principles that portend Israel's identity, have been increasingly at odds and populists have made their choice as to which of the two they view as more important

The Republican took his unique brand of identity politics mainstream in 2016 and won the White House. This year's race is once again being shaped by the rhetoric of this resurgent political extreme.

Macron and Scholz have suffered humiliating defeats triggering concern of a bigger shift to the right in France and Germany. If this happens, Europe's power balance could fundamentally transform.

Wagner mercenaries have worked with the Rapid Support Forces for years, trading weapons for gold, but Moscow's head seems to have been turned in its quest for a Red Sea naval base.

Riding a global wave of populist nationalism, radicals with a disdain for democracy, an urge to deregulate, and an aversion to globalisation are seizing power in Central and South America.